Soft-sided container

ABSTRACT

A soft sided insulated container having a bladder incorporated into a continuous sidewall. The bladder includes a spacer and a mechanism to remove excess air, allowing increased insulative properties and adjusting of the sidewall thickness. A one-way air valve is fluidly coupled to the bladder, allowing an individual to pull air from the bladder.

PRIORITY CLAIM

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. § 1.76, a claim of priority is included inan Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, thepresent invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/623,856, entitled “SOFT-SIDED CONTAINER WITH VACUUM ASSIST”,filed Jan. 30, 2018. The contents of the above referenced applicationare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of soft-sided containers and, inparticular, to a soft sided container with increased insulativeproperties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soft-sided containers are well known in the industry. Soft-sidedcontainers commonly include a fabric or TPU wall covering, providingimpact advantages over hard-sided containers. Soft-sided containers maybe non-insulated containing no thermal barrier, or insulated, wherein athermal barrier is placed between an inner and outer wall. Hard-sidedinsulated containers have an inner wall separated from an outer wall byan insulation material and/or spacing.

A soft-sided insulated container relies on an external insulated wallstructure that is not substantially rigid. The sidewall may be foldablebetween a collapsed and an expanded configuration. The wall structureincludes an outside layer of TBU material, webbing or fabric, an insidelayer of TBU material, webbing or fabric, and a layer of flexibleinsulation therebetween, positioned between the inner and outer layers.Soft-sided coolers sometimes include substantially rigid liners toassist in permitting the cooler to maintain a given shape, or to protectitems inside the cooler from being crushed.

Soft-sided containers can be made to fold, making it easier to fit intoa sized opening for compact storage when not in use. The lid of asoft-sided container relies upon a zipper or hook & loop material forclosure, the closure mechanism covering three of the four side walls,the fourth side being hinged. Even if insulated, the soft sides can bemade to compress into a small footprint, making storage more convenient.Further, if a soft-sided container impacts another object, damage can beavoided since the soft-sided container operates as the give-way object,thereby absorbing the impact forces. For instance, a soft-sidedinsulated container is preferred by astute boat owners since themovement on a boat will likely cause the insulated cooler to move andimpact part of the boat. Having a soft-sided shell on the insulatedcontainer reduces or eliminates damage to the boat, as the containerwill absorb the damaging forces. In addition, soft-sided containers aregenerally lightweight and can be made both durable and attractive. Whilethe soft-sided container has numerous advantages, a disadvantage is theinsulating properties. Unlike rigid-sided containers, the soft-sidedwalls can separate from the insulating barrier, lessening the insulatingability.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,478 discloses an insulated chest for storage ofperishable goods which require a temperature-controlled environment. Thechest includes insulated side walls, bottom and a hinged cover which ispneumatically sealed to prevent tampering and for thermal security. Thechest includes a fluid conduit within the cover for air evacuation anddepressurization of the interior, and also includes a conduit to providea vacuum between the walls of the sides and bottom which contain a rigidpolymeric foam insulation.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,946 discloses a vacuum insulated lunch box comprisedof a top half and a bottom half, the top half and bottom half eachhaving a double wall construction, the top half and bottom half eachhaving an outlet check valve, and the outlet check valves each capableof receiving a tube from a vacuum pump for the purpose of evacuating thecavity of each said lunch box half. An embodiment includes a built invacuum pump.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,668,510 discloses a cooler with an insulated housingcomprising an encircling wall, base and lid, the insulated housingdefining a storage cavity and having an air channel communicating fromthe storage cavity to outside the insulated housing; the air channelbeing defined by channel walls and forming at least in part a cylinder.A vacuum pump is integral with the insulated housing; the vacuum pumpcomprising a piston arranged to reciprocate within the cylinder undermanual control from outside of the insulated housing. The vacuum is usedto reduce the air pressure within the storage cavity.

U.S. Publication 2008/0223862 discloses a cooler with inflatablesidewalls. The cooler comprises a base and an insulated containerdefining a cooler. The container includes an inflatable wall and a valvefor inflating of the wall. The insulated container is removably coupledto the base, and the base defines a container receiving recess withinwhich a bottom portion of the insulated container is received. When theportable cooler assembly is in a first configuration, the inflatablewall is inflated and extends outwardly from the container receivingspace. When the portable cooler assembly is in a second configuration,the inflatable wall is deflated and is completely received within thecontainer receiving space in a collapsed condition.

U.S. Publication 2008/0260303 discloses insulated shipping bags. In thisdisclosure, a collapsible insulated bag is designed to allow itemsretained within an inner pouch thereof to remain within predeterminedtemperature ranges for predetermined periods of time, and wherein thebags are designed to be easily compressed or compacted for storage orshipment to end users. The bags include at least an outer reflectivelayer, an intermediate open foam layer, and the inner pouch layer.

U.S. Publication 2010/0310194 discloses a handheld electronic deviceenclosure which includes a flexible bag having an interior cavity forenclosing the handheld electronic device and an opening for insertion ofthe device into the bag cavity, a closure for releasably sealing the bagopening, and a sealable exhaust tube extending from the bag cavity tothe exterior of the bag for use in evacuating air from the bag cavitywhen the opening is sealed. The tube preferably includes a one-wayvalve, allowing air to flow from the bag cavity, but not into the bagcavity. A detachable means, such as a rubber bulb, may be included towithdraw air from the cavity through the tube. The case may also includean electronic jack extending from the bag cavity to the exterior of thebag.

U.S. Publication 2014/0248003 discloses a soft-sided insulated containerwith inflatable wall structure. The insulated container assembly is madeof a flexible wall structure that is movable between a collapsedposition and a deployed position. In one variation of the deployedposition, it resembles a tote-bag; in another variation of folding, thedeployed position corresponds to a generally box-like shape. Thecontainer includes a self-inflating wall structure that has an innerlayer or skin, an outer layer or skin, and a resilient, open-cellinsulating layer trapped between the two skins. A valve governs theability to take in or to expel air. The outer layer may be thicker andmore robust than the inner layer, the better to resist abrasion orpunctures. The inner layer may be reflective. There may be a removableinternal liner, which may be transparent.

What is lacking in the industry is a soft-sided insulated containerincluding a vacuum assist assembly to increase the insulating propertiesof the container and adjust the thickness of the container wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a vacuum assist assembly that is securable to a wall of asoft-sided container. The container comprises a body defining a chambertherewithin. A cover is positionable over an upper edge of the body,with a zipper mechanism securing access to the insulated chamber whenthe cover is in a closed position, and allowing access to the insulatedchamber when said cover is in an open position. The vacuum assistassembly consists of an air valve that is in fluid communication witheither a bladder placed between two material side walls, or a bladderformed by placing an impermeable coating on an interior surface of thetwo material side walls; the bladder defining an interior space forplacement of an insulating material or spacer. A partial vacuum can bepulled on the bladder by withdrawing air through the air valve. Aone-way flapper allows air to be withdrawn only from the bladder. Theinsulating material can simply be a spacer, such as EVA or EPE foam,wherein a controlled space operates to increase the insulating abilityof the container side walls. Alternatively, the insulating material mayinclude thermal properties, such as polyurethane, which is able to repelheat and cold. Critical to this invention is the drawing of the bladdersidewall tightly against the spacer, the bladder having controlledspacing that increases the thermal properties of the insulatingmaterial.

An objective of the invention is to increase the insulating effects in asoft-sided container.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a valve thatallows fluid to be removed from a bladder chamber if the interior lineris punctured, prior to repairing the puncture.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a one-way valvethat allows drawing of a vacuum and inhibits air from repopulating thebladder chamber.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a continuousbladder to allow the four walls, and optionally a lid of the container,to have a partial vacuum drawn through a single point air valve.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with anyaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings containedherein constitute a part of this specification, include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plane view of a container without wheels;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a wall with a bladder;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a wall with non-permeable walls asan alternative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the air valve;

FIG. 5 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a rear view thereof; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded cross sectional view of the air valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Detailed embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a container 100 to illustrate theapplicability of the invention to most any style soft sided container.In this illustration, the container 100 has a base 102 formed from arigid material; and a continuous sidewall 104 having a lower end 103secured to the base 102, the base 102 defining a shape of the sidewall104. The sidewall 104 in this embodiment can be further defined as afront surface 114, a rear surface 115 and two side surfaces 117, 119.The sidewall 104 forms an interior storage chamber, not shown, for thetemporary placement of items to be chilled. An upper portion, or cover,106 of said sidewall 104 is used to seal the interior chamber, and isformed from a flap 107 with an end 108 securable to the front of thesidewall 104 by a clasp mechanism 120. Release of the clasp mechanism120 allows the upper portion 106 to be moved upwardly, allowing accessto the interior, not shown. The sidewall 104 may include a frontalhandle 110 and a cover handle 112 for ease of movement. In thisembodiment, the air valve 50 has a cylindrical shaped body 90 with anopening to the interior of a bladder formed within the continuoussidewall 104. The air valve 50 is protected and further sealed by a cap92 that frictionally engages the air valve 50. The air valve 50 can beattached to the front, rear or side surface.

Now referring to FIG. 2, the sidewall 104 is formed from an outerflexible wall 52 and a plastic flexible inner wall 54. A bladder 56formed from a non-permeable thin wall plastic is positioned between thematerials 52, 54, and is sealed except for an access port formed by theair valve 50. For illustrative purposes, only a cutaway of a portion ofthe sidewall 104 is depicted. The remaining sidewall 104 and cover 106can be constructed similarly, with the preferred embodiment having acontinuous bladder, or interconnected bladders. In a preferredembodiment, a single bladder is employed with the objective being theuse of a single air valve for drawing a partial vacuum of air from thebladder which surrounds the interior chamber.

Inside the bladder 56 is a spacer material 58 which includes thermal,structural or insulative properties. For instance, a spacer material 58may be constructed from felt, wherein drawing a partial vacuum providesa predefined space between adjoining walls of the bladder 56; thespacing creating an insulating barrier. Alternatively, the spacermaterial 58 may be constructed from EVA or EPE foam, wherein drawing avacuum provides a predefined space between adjoining walls of thebladder 56, and the foam provides inherent thermal properties. Stillanother example is the use of expanded flexible foam having inherentthermal properties.

Now referring to FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment, the sidewall 125is formed from an outer flexible wall 60 having an inner surface 62 andan outer surface 64, and an inner wall 66 having an inner surface 68(not labeled on FIG. 3) and an outer surface 70. In this embodiment, theinner surfaces 62, 68 are coated with a non-permeable composition suchas a plasticizer. The outer flexible wall 60 and the inner flexible wall66 are sealed together along a common edge, forming an interior space 72for placement of a spacer material 74. Similar to the previousembodiment, the spacer material 74 may include insulating propertiesthat improve the insulating characteristics of the storage chamber byspacing the outer wall 60 from the inner wall 66. For illustrativepurposes, only a cross section portion of the wall 125 is depicted. Theremaining sidewall 125 and cover 106 can be constructed similarly withthe formed bladders positioned in each wall in fluid communication withadjoining bladders, an objective being the use of a single air valve 50for drawing a partial vacuum on the interior space of the bladder(s). Tohelp maintain a pulled vacuum, the air valve 50 is formed from a body 90having a sealing cap 92 held with a living hinge 94.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the air valve 50 has a cylindrical shaped body90 with an opening 96 constructed and arranged to be sealed by the cap92. The opening 96 has a base 95 with an outer surface 97 having aplurality of apertures 98 covered with a flexible flapper 100 leading toan inner surface 102. The flexible flapper 100 is preferably constructedfrom rubber and attached to the base 95 with a fastener 109. Whensecured to a bladder, the air valve 50 allows air to be drawn from thebladder by an individual drawing air through the air valve 50, whereinair passes through the apertures 98 extending through the inner surface102, which displaces the flexible flapper 100 as air is being drawn fromthe bladder. Critical to this invention is the ability to cause thebladder side walls to adhere to the spacer material 58 or 74 whichprovide insulation properties when used in combination with the bladder.This improves the thermal capabilities of the insulation and providesthe perception of a larger interior space with easier access. Air can bedrawn from the air valve 50 by a pump or an individual can draw airdirectly from the bladder by pulling a suction on the air valve. In thismanner, the isolative properties of the container can be adjusted to theindividual's preference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementherein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to whatis shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figuresincluded herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the presentinvention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain theends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Theembodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein arepresently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended tobe exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changestherein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which areencompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by thescope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been describedin connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should beunderstood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited tosuch specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of thedescribed modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious tothose skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of thefollowing claims.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarilydirectly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “comprise” (andany form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (andany form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any formof include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and anyform of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-endedlinking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,”“includes” or “contains” one or more steps or elements, possesses thoseone or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing onlythose one or more elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an elementof a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one ormore features, possesses those one or more features, but is not limitedto possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device orstructure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at leastthat way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A soft-sided insulated container comprising: arigid base; a continuous sidewall secured to said base and extendingupwardly to an upper portion, said continuous sidewall defining abladder, said upper portion constructed and arranged to fold, forming astorage chamber within said continuous sidewall; a spacer materialplaced within said bladder; an air valve attached to said bladder, saidair valve having an aperture fluidly communicated with an interior spaceof said bladder, wherein said air valve is available for drawing airfrom said interior space of said bladder to adjust the insulativeproperties of the container; a clasp mechanism releasably securing saidupper portion in a folded securing access to said storage chamber whensaid upper portion is in a closed position, and allowing access to saidstorage chamber when said upper portion is in an open position.
 2. Thesoft-sided insulated container according to claim 1 wherein said airvalve is further defined as a flexible flapper constructed and arrangedto seal said aperture, wherein said flapper allowing excess air to beremoved from said interior space of said bladder.
 3. The soft-sidedinsulated container according to claim 1 wherein said bladder isconstructed from a continuous wall of non-permeable material defining aninterior space.
 4. The soft-sided insulated container according to claim1 wherein said spacer material includes thermal insulating properties.5. The soft-sided insulated container according to claim 4 wherein saidspacer material is fiberglass.
 6. The soft-sided insulated containeraccording to claim 4 wherein said spacer material is foam rubber.
 7. Thesoft-sided insulated container according to claim 1 wherein said upperportion is creased at a predetermined position, forming a living hinge.